What’s happened? Spotify has confirmed that it will soon offer music videos in the United States for the very first time.
Users should be able to switch between audio-only and video tracks by tapping an on-screen button (via Variety).
It isn’t clear whether the feature will be available for paid, free, or both tiers.
It was only recently that Spotify struck a licensing deal with the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA), regarding “expanded audiovisual rights.”
Derek Malcolm / Digital Trends
Why is this important? The addition of the music video significantly broadens Spotify’s offering, moving from audio-only streaming to a richer multimedia experience.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The development also positions Spotify directly in competition with video-heavy platforms such as YouTube.
For Spotify, the availability of music videos could help increase users’ time spent in the app.
Given that music videos are higher-value content, the update could open up a new distribution and monetization channel for artists and rights-holders.
Why should I care? If you’re a Spotify user in the United States or Canada, you’ll soon be able to watch official music videos within the app rather than switching to another platform.
If you’re a creator or a rights-holder, the arrival of music videos on Spotify opens up an additional avenue for your work to be displayed and monetized.
For everyday consumption, video makes music tracks more engaging. I can see people streaming music videos on the platform in the background on their secondary devices.
Cristina Alexander / Digital Trends
OK, what’s next? Even if you aren’t a U.S. or Canadian resident, the upcoming rollout signals that Spotify views video as part of its long-term offering globally.
If you’re intrigued by the idea of watching music videos on Spotify, keep an eye out for the feature’s rollout and eligibility criteria.
In due course, Spotify should expand its video catalog, integrate videos into playlists, and launch a vertical feed.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source ca.news.yahoo.com ’
